Hey everyone,
I’m 15 and I’ve been programming since I was 9. I started with game dev, but lately, I’ve been deep into C/Go for embedded systems ( and some machine learning / deep learning stuff (nueral networks, basic machine learning concepts, recurrent nns) .
The issue: I’m getting stuck constantly because my math is basically at a Grade 9/10 level. Every time I try to read a paper on signal processing or dive into ML architecture, the notation and the calculus/linear algebra just stop me cold. its like this wall that stops my learning.
I want to spend the next 12 months self-studying to get from "high school basics" to being ready for university-level engineering math.
What I actually know right now (rough map):
- The Basics: All the standard school stuff—fractions, exponents, roots, GCF/LCM, etc.
- Algebra: Polynomials (factoring/expanding), solving first-degree equations, and basic inequalities.
- Systems: Solving 2x2 linear equations ($x$ and $y$).
- Geometry: The standard Euclidean stuff—Thales, Pythagoras, similar triangles, and circle properties.
- Coordinate Geometry: Working with orthonormal systems, midpoints, and line equations ($y = ax+b$).
- Trig: Just the basics of right triangles (sin, cos, tan).
- Stats: Mean, frequencies, and basic charts.
- boolean algebra and set theory (i did this when working with logic gates and designing a cpu dont ask why i thought it was good to learn this at that time)
I’m a good student and math comes easy to me in school, but I know there’s a massive gap between this and the "real" math needed for what i do.
What I need to learn:
I've looked into it, and I'm missing the heavy hitters: Advanced Trig (Unit Circle, identities), Calculus (Limits, Derivatives, Integrals, Diff Eq), Complex Numbers (need this for my hardware projects), and 3D Vectors (i think this is what i need to learn btw).
What I’m looking for:
A roadmap that doesn't treat me like a kid. I don't want "math is fun" videos; I want resources that explain the logic from the ground up so I can actually understand it deeply. I have access to Khan Academy, but if there are specific textbooks (like Stewart for Calculus or anything similar) that are better for someone with a programming mindset, please let me know. The depth and rigor of the book/material doesnt matter to me, i want the best one regardless of how hard it is
How would you prioritize this? What are the "must-haves" I need to nail before I even touch Calculus?
Note: this post was edited by ai to make it more organized
Im lost on what to learn and any help would be appreciated.